Inking ribbon for printing presses



Dea l2 1933- w. J. KEENAN INKING RIBBON FOR PRINTING' PRESSES uw w @vg Q-lu Q L L vvribbon for a printing press which can be made Patented Dec. 12, 1933 1,939,557 INKING RIBBON VFOR PRINTING PRESSES William J. Keenan, Minneapolis, Minn., assigner of one-half to Silas Walter Sears, Minneapolis,

Minn.

Application) Apri1k4, 1931. Serial N0. 527,727

12 Claims.

`This invention relates to inking ribbons foruse 'particularly in connection with printing presses.

At the present time, form letters are extensively usedwhich are printed by printing presses with certain portions of the letters left blank to be filled in by the typewriter prior to mailing. For

example, in most form letters, the name and address of the person to whom the letter is being 1 sent is left blank at the time the letter is printed by the printing press and the name and address islled in by a stenographer using a typewriter. V

It is desirable that forni letters be given the appearance of personal letters wholly typed by the typewriter but Where an ordinary printing press is used for printing the letter, it has been practically impossible to print the letter in such a manner that the matter printed by the press willhave the same appearance as the matter later filled in by the typewriter. This is very largely due to the fact that in an lordinary printing press, the type is directly inked as by inking rolls, while in a typewriter the type works through an inking ribbon.

It is the main object of this invention, therefore, to provide an inking ribbon of novel construction which can be used in connection with a printing press and which will run over the type so that-as a letter or any paper is printed, the printed matter will have the appearance of being printed by a typewriter.

A further object is to provide such an inking i of exactly the same material as a typewriter ribbon so that in form letter work, the main body of the letter will present the same appearance to the eye as the portion of the letter lled in by the typewriter and it will thus be impossible to detect the fact that the letter is a form letter ratherthan a personal letter.

To these' ends, generally stated, the invention consists in the novel parts and novel combinations of parts hereinafter defined in the claims and described in the following specification, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer lto the same or similar parts throughout the various views, and, in which, y i

Fig. 1 is a View taken partially in side elevationA and partially in vertical section through a platen type printing press equipped' `with a chase Within which my inkingl ribbon is incorporated, the platen'of the press and the'paper `holder being indicated in full lines-in one posi- (Cl. 10T-336) Fig. 2 is a plan View of the chase illustrated in Fig. 1 Vwith type set therein and my inking ribbon operatively mounted in thepchase;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the chase on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, as indicated e0 by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the'line 4-4 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows;`

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken onthe line 5-6 of Fig. 2 as indicated by the arrow adjacent 65 the numeral 5;

Fig, 6 is a vertical section taken on the'line 6 5 ci Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrow adjacent the numeral 6; n Y

Fig. 7 is a View illustrating on an enlarged 70 scale certain of the parts as shown in Figff, but moved to a different position than the position `shown in Fig. 6;

`Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken onfthe'lline 8-8 of Figs. 5 and 6 as indicated bythe arrows, flbf and illustrating the parts as they will` appear when assembled together; l

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken in a vsimilar manner on the line 9-9 of Figs. 5 and`6.as indicatedv by the arrows; Y

Fig 10 is a horizontal Section taken onhthe line 10-10 of Fig. 9 as indicated bythe arrows; Fig. 11 Vis a vertical section taken onthe line 11-11 of Fig. 10, as indicatedby the arrows;

Fig. l2 is a vertical section taken on the line 35 l 12-12 of Fig. 4, as indicated by the Yarrowsya'nd Fig. 13 is a vertical Section taken on the line 13--13 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows.` -A

Althoug'nin certain types of pressesjasthe 'pressillustrated in Fig. l, the chaseand other-90 parts will be disposed to lie in substantially a vertical plane, in all the views offthedra'wings with theV exception of Fig. 1, the chaseis considered to be disposed generally in a horizontal plane. i g 195 Referring to the drawings, and momentarily to l of the drawings, portions of a platen type printing press are illustrated including the bed 14 onwhich a chase 15, incorporating therein the inking ribbon. of iny invention, is held by suit-" able clamping means 16, a platen 17 Vand a paper holder 18. The platen 17 andthe paper holder 18 are adapted to be oscillated to and from "the vbed 14 by any suitable mechanism, not shown, so

that paper lcarried by the paper holder 18 will :.105

be pressed by the platen 17 toward type held within the chase 15.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 13, inclusive, there is illustrated a chase 15 wherein my invention is embodied. Thisv chase although it may be constructed in various manners, is illustrated as being composed of two main sections 19 and 20, held together as by means of screws 15a. The main portion of the chase 15 is formed by the section 19, the section 29 forming one side of the chase. The chase is of generally rectangular shape and the section 19 has a large rectangular opening 21 forming a type space within which type 22 may be locked in the usual manner as by means of blocks 23 and wedges 24. Portions of the chase adjacent the type space 21 are raised from the borders of the chase to form a frame above which the type 22 will slightly project. The border portions of the chase are formed as may be desired for permitting the chase to be applied to the particular bed 14 of the printing press used and to be properly clamped thereon. Adjacent its two ends, the chase i5 is provided with slots or grooves 25 within which spindles 26 are received. The grooves 25, as shown, extend from adjacent one side of the chase to adjacent the other side of the same in parallel spaced relation mounted within the portions of the section 20 adjoining the grooves 25 and on one of these studs, there is rotatably mounted a ratchet 28 while on the other of the studs there is rotatably `mounted a ratchet 29. The teeth ofthe two ratchets 28 and 29 extend in opposite directions and the forward face of each ratchet preferably has a groove out therein forming a half clutch member 30. Blocks 31 are mounted in the opposite ends of the grooves 25 from the ratchets and held therein as by screws 32 and these blocks, as best shown in Fig. 4, are provided with `bores within which Vplungers 33 spring pressed by springs 34 t. The plungers 33 are normally held by the springs 34 so that their inner ends project from the blocks 31 and the plungers are pre- V vented from complete withdrawal from the blocks by cooperating shoulders formed in the blocks and projecting into the bores thereof and shoulders formed on the plunger The outer ends of the plungers'BS are preferably beveled or rounded and have small central openings therein within which small projecting pins 35 at similar ends of the spindles 26 are received. The opposite ends of the spindles are provided with small projecting pins 36 which fit within'the apertures of the studs 27, while keys 37 at the same ends of the spindles are received within "the grooves formed in the half clutch members of the ratchets 28 and 29. It will be seen that the two spindles 26 are removably mounted -in the grooves 25 and may be readily engaged with'and disengaged from the plungers 33 and the two ratchets 28 and 29.

An inking ribbon 38 is secured at its two ends -to the respective spindles 26 and is wound thereon. the same as that used for making typewriter r ribbons and extends over the type space 21 of Thisribbon is constructed from material the chase and over whatever type 22 may be held therein. For attaching the ends of the ribbon '38 to the spindles, each spindle is provided with a removable section 39, best seen in Figs. 12 and 13, and the end of the ribbon is clamped between thisremovable section and the main portion of ribbon properly as it is wound and unwound on and from the spindles, each spindle is provided adjacent its two ends with oppositely disposed flanged collars 41. Each spindle 26 is provided With a slot 42 which extends from adjacent the ratchet attaching end of the spindle toward the opposite end of the spindle and mounted Within this slot on a pivot 43 is a lever 44, which is under spring tension to project outwardly beyond the general outline of the spindle when less than one turn of the ribbon is wrapped on the spindle by reason of a small spring 45 which bears against the main portion of the spindle within the slot 42 and ts within a small recess in the level` 44. The pivot 43 is mounted in the spindle at a point remote from the end of the spindle attaching to a ratchet and it is, or course, the end of the lever 44 adjacent the ratchet attaching end o the spindle that will be projected at times therefrom, as shown in Figs. 4 and l1. The flanged collars 41 adjacent the ratchet attaching ends of the spindles have short notches cut therein to permit the movement oi the levers 44 and these collars' act as stops limiting the outward extension of the levers from the spindles.

The bar forming the side of the section 19 of the chase extending between the two grooves 25 may be designated by the numeral 46 and this bar 46 is provided with a channel 47 closed at its open outer side by the section 2G of the chase. Within this channel 47 is located the major portio-n of mechanism lfor operating the ratchets 28 and 29 to turn the spindles 26 and move the ribbon 38. A plunger 48 which may be of general rectangular shape with rounded upper and lower corners is centrally mounted in the chase 15 within an opening formed in the upper portion of the side 46 and in a groove 49 cut in 'the inner edge of the section 20. Coiled springs 50 are mounted in recesses formed in the lower edge of the plunger 48 and these springs bear against the base of the bar 46 and. normally urge the plunger 48 to projecting position well above the frame of the chase, so that the plunger will be struck by the platen 17 or other presser member of the printing press as the platen or equivalent presser member moves toward the type 22. The plunger 48 will, of course, be depressed within the channel 47 as the platen 17 or equivalent presser member of the press strikes the same. A screw 5l, as best shown in Fig. 8, is applied to the plunger 48 and this screw extends within a slot 52 in the section 20 and limits the possible outward extension of the plunger from the chase. Pivotally mounted at the two sides of the plunger 48 as in the section 20, are a pair of oppositely disposed bell crank levers 53 and these levers have inner arms suporting rollers 54 which bear against the lower corners of the plunger and extend in the path of travel of the plunger. The outer arms of the bell crank levers 53 have rods 55 pivotally attached thereto and these rods run outwardly toward the ends of the chase and are pivotally connected at their cuter Yends to the inner arms of outer bell crank levers 56, which may also be pivotally mounted on the section 20.' The outer arms of the bell crank levers 56 are apertured to receive the shanks of pawls 57 and small coiled springs 58 fitting within the apertures of the said arms, bear against the inner ends of the Shanks of the pawls and urge the pawls outwardly from the outer arms of the bell crank levers 56 intov engagement with the respective ratchets 28 and 29 adjacent the re- Mlow each Aspindle 26.

lthe Vspindles areadapted to engage the teeth 69 ige'segssv spective pawls. f Pins 59 aresecured'to the Shanks of lthepawls'57 and :these pins projectthr'ough slots"60"cut. in the sides of the' outer arms of 'the bell'cra'nk levers A56 facing the barf46. .Sprlngs llattached to pins'carried bythe rods and to'pins 62 mounted on'the section 20, urge V"the rods"'55'outwardly towards vthe end of the 'chase to maintain the rollers 54 in the path of 'the 'plunger 48 and in engagement with the low- To prevent back ro- 1applied to the section 20` adjacent the upper edges of the `ratche'ts and thedogs 63 are urged into engagement with the ratchets by coiled lsprings 65 which bear against the inner ends of the dogs i aboveV the pivots'64 and` also bear against small jlugs'66 mounted on the section 20. Each dog 63 `carries'adjacentrits outer end a small pin 67 `which projects beyond the inner face of the ratchet 28 or 29 adjacent thereto.

`The bar '46 has a pair of parallel grooves cut rin the surface thereof adjoining the channel 47 andthese grooves extend generally longitudinal- -vfly of the chase. lower groove,fas best shown at the top of Figs.

Slidably mounted within the 6 and 7,is` along bar 68 and upwardly curved hooks or teeth 69 are formed at the two ends of the bar68, one of the teeth being disposed beu The levers 44 mounted in to slide `the'bar 68 as these levers are projected vbeyondfzthe outlines of the spindles during rotation thereof. Another sliding bar is mounted 4within the remaining groove in the bar 46 and 'thisslidingbar 70'has angularly bent and down- @Wardly projecting ends located outwardly from "the twofpins 59 carried by the pawls 57 and the ends Vof the bar 70 may nt within notches cut in rthe bar 68` adjacent the ends thereof Thespacing between the two angularly bent ends of the Vbar 70A is slightly less than the spacing between 'the twoJ pins 59 when both pins bear against the -Wouter' ends of the slots 60. The two bars 68 and 70are centrally interconnected by a `small link 71 pivoted at its ends to the bars, one of the pivot, openings in the link being slightly elongated to permit of relative sliding movement between the two bars 68 and 70 in their grooves.

Short arms 72 are pivoted tothe bar 46 adjacent the lower .sideof thesame opposite the respective ratchets and these arms are outwardly disposed from the pins 67 to engage these pins and swing the dogs 63 out of-engagement with their adjacent ratchets 28V and 29. Links 73 are pivotallyconnected to the arms 72 andthe ends of the bar `70 for operating the arms 72. `triangular'cam 74 which faces the plunger 48 and The link 7l carries a small ts withina recess 75 in the inner face of the plunger vfor cooperation with a second triangular- "shaped'cam 76 mounted on the plunger 48 and projecting into the recess 75' adjacent the lower. end ofthe same. U-shaped portion 77 on the side of the plunger 48 facing the bar 46 and the spacing between the The recess 75 forms an inverted lower cornersfof the cam 76 and the legs of the otherlside 'of thecam :.76 between the 'remaining lower corner thereof' andthe remaining arm of the U-shaped portion 77.

' Operation Let us consider that it is desired to print form letters by use of the' press. The chase l5 will be removed from the press whereupon one of the spindles 26 may be removed from agroove 25'by pressing the spindle against its cooperating plunger 33 and tipping the ratchet engaging end of the spindle upwardly. The ribbon 38'may then be swung to one side of the type space 21. The desired type 22 can then be locked in place within the typeV space 2l in the customary manner by use of the blocks 23 and wedges 24. The type that is used will correspond to the type of the particular typewriter that is to be later used after the lettersare printed to fill out the blank portions or' the letter, such as the name and address of the party to whom the letter is to be sent. The ribbon 38 that is used, will correspond exactly to the ribbon of the typewriter that is later to be used in filling out the blank portions of the letter, i. e., the ribbon 38 will be composed of similarv material to the typewriter ribbon, and the same type of ink will be used for both ribbons and preferably the ribbon 38 will have been subjected to about the same amount of wear as the typewriter ribbon. -After the type has been locked in the type space of the chase, the removed spindle 26 is reinserted in placejwhereupon the Ychase 15 is clamped'iby the clamping means 16 to the bed 14 of the press.

Let us consider that portions of the 'ribbon v38 arewound on eachspindle 26 and that the two bars 68 and 70 are shifted toward the left end of the chase, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, so that the triangular cam 74 bears against the left leg'of the U-shaped portion 77 of the plunger 48.* When the parts are in this position, the right end -of the bar 70 engages the pin 59 Aof the right 'hand pawl 57 and holds the right hand pawlv 57 in retracted position, so that it will not engage the ratchet 29. Also the right hand arm 72 engages the pin 67 of the right hand dog 63 to hold the said dog in upwardly tipped position out of engagement with the ratchet 29. The spring 58 bearing against the left hand pawl 57 will retain this pawl in engagement with the ratchet 28, while the left hand dog 63 will be maintained in engagement with the ratchet 28 by means of the left hand spring 65. If one or more' turns of ribbon are wound on each spindle 26, the two levers 44 will be maintained in non-V projeeting position within their slots 42.

As thepress is set in operation, the paper holder' 18 and the platen 17 will be swung toward the type 22. It is preferred to operate the press 'a few times before rfeeding paper to the paper-A holder 18 so that the portion of the ribbon exe tending between the two spindles 26 may be tightly stretched. As the platen 17 moves toward the bed 14, the platen will strike'the plunger 48 and depress the plunger within the chase against the tension of springs 50. The lower corners of the plunger 48 bearing againstthe rollers 54 will depress the rollers and swing the two inner bell crank levers 53, causing the upper arms thereof to move inwardly tov move the rods 55 inwardly against the tension of the spring 61. The two outerV bell crank levers 56 will be swung by the rods 55 so that the outer arms of the said levers are swung upwardly. The left hand pawl 57 being engaged with theratchet 28 will-cause-the ratchet to be turned a short distance, thereby rotating the left hand spindle 26, a step in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2, 3, and 5. After the ratchet 28 has been so moved, the dog 63 adjacent the said ratchet will engage one of the teeth thereof to prevent back rotation of the ratchet. An additional portion of the ribbon 38 will thus be wound on the left hand spindle 26, the portion of the ribbon extending over the type 22 moving to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2. The right hand pawl 57 and the right hand dog 63 will be maintained out of engage-` ment with the ratchet 29, so that no motion will be imparted to the right hand spindle 26 until the portion of the ribbon extending between the two spindles has been tightly stretched. When this portion of the ribbon has been tightly stretched,

- a portion of the ribbon corresponding to the portion wound on the left hand spindle will be unwound from the right hand spindle, there being nothing to prevent rotation of the ratchet 29 and the right hand spindle 26 in a counterclcckwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. As when the plunger 48 is depressed, the cam 76 is disposed at the rightof the cam 74, the bar will be maintained in position slid towards the left end of the chase. As the platen 17 and paper holder 18 are moved away from the bed i4 during the operation of the printing press, the springs 50 will force the plunger 48 to its original projected position, while the springs 61 will move the rods 55, bell crank levers 53 and 56 and pawls 57 back to their original position, as shown in Fig. 5. The small spring 58 of the left hand pawl 59 will 'permit the pawl to be carried over the teeth of the ratchet 28, the left hand dog 63 preventing clockwise rotation of the ratchet 28 at this time. As the plunger 48 raises to its extended position, the upwardly pointed end of the triangular carn 76 will cause the downwardly pointed triangular cani 74 to be maintained within the recess of the plunger between the cam 76 and the left leg of the U- shaped portion 77 of the plunger, thereby niaintaining the bar 70 in its position slid toward the left end of the chase. After the portion of the ribbon 38 betweenthe two spindles 36` has been tightened, sheets A of paper to be printed may be fed to the paper holder 18 o1 the press. During the intermittent operation of the press, this paper will be carried by the platen 17 against theporticn of the ribbon 38 extending over the type 22 and the type working through the ribbon will print the paper and the printed paper will have the same appearance as if the printing were done by the typewriter later used to illin the blank spaces, such as the name and address of the person to whom the paper is to be sent.

. The movement of the ribbon 88 completely takes place before the paper A is pressed against the ribbon and no blurring of the printed matter possible.

The press can be successively operated to wind.v portions of the ribbon 38 on left hand spindle 36V and to unwind portions of the ribbon from the right hand spindle 36, the ribbon having a step by step movement, as the press is actuated and successive papers are printed by the press Eventually, nearly all of the ribbon will be unwound from the right hand spindle 26, whereupon when somewhat less than one turn of the ribbon remains on the right'hand spindle 26, the ribbon will release the lever 44 mounted in this spindle and the spring 45 will project the end of the lever 44 adjacent the ratchet 29 outwardly beyond the ,outline of the spindle.

As the step by step rotationf of the spindle 26 at the right end of the chasecontinues, during successive operations of the press, the lever 44 will engage the right hand tooth of the bar 68 as the plunger 48 is depressed and the bar 68 Will be slid to the right. As this occurs,.the link 71 will be swung to the position illustrated in Fig. 7, so that the downwardly extending point of the triangular cam 74 is disposed slightly to the right of the upwardly projecting point of the triangular cam 76 carried by the plunger when the plunger is in its depressed condition. As the plunger 48 moves upwardly to extended position by the action of the springs 50, the cam 76 will engage the cam 74 at its left inclined surface and will swing the cam 74, the upper end of the link 71 and the bar 70 toward the right end of the chase to permit the cam 76 to move upwardly. The carn 74 will then project into the recess 75 between the right side of the cani 76 and the right leg of the U-shaped portion 77. As the bar 70 is shifted toward the right end of the chase, the left end of the bar will engage the pin 59 oi the left pawl 57, thereby sliding the pawl to the right and throwing it out of engagement with the ratchet 28. Also the left link 73 will swing the left arm 72 to the right and this arm will engage the pin 67 of the left hand dog 63 to raise the dog against the tension of the left hand spring 65 and throw the dog out of engagement with the ratchet 28. Also as the bar 70 moves toward the right end of the chase, the right end of the bar will release the pin 59 of the right hand pawl 57, thereby permitting the right hand spring 58 to press the pawl into engagement with the ratchet 29. The right hand link 78 wiil be simultaneously moved toward the right end of the chase, thereby swinging the right arm 72 out of engagement with the pin 67 of the right hand dog 63, permitting the right hand spring 65 to press the said dog into engagement with the ratchet 29. It should be here noted that the sliding `movement of the bar 70 and the consequent shifting ofthe positions of the two pawls and ofthe two dogs 63 takes place during the up or idle stroke of the plunger'48. The bar 70 cannot be shifted during the down or active stroke of the plunger' 48. It is thus impossible for both pawls 57 and both dogs 68 to engage the two ratchets 28 and 29 at the saine time, due to the use of the two cams 74 and 76 and the U- shaped portion 77 of the plunger 48, the bar 70 kmust be shifted from an extreme left hand positionto an extreme right hand position. It is impossible for the two spindles 26 to be rotated in opposite directions at the same time.

After the bar 70 has een shifted toward the right end of the chase, and as the press is successively operated, the ratchet 29 will be intermittently positively driven in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2, 8 and 5 to wind portions of the ribbon 88 onto the right hand spindle 26 and to unwind portions of the ribbon from the left hand spindle 26. When the ribbon has been completely unwound from the left hand spindle 26, the lever 44 of this spindle will cause the bar 68 to be shifted to the left, whereupon on the upstroke of the plunger 48, following the v shifting of the bar 68, the bar 76 will be shifted to the left to assume its original position and the ratchet 28 and spindle 26 attached thereto will again be driven in a oounterclockwise direction, intermittently. The parts are shown in al1 the views with the exception of Fig. 7 in the positions vthey will assume immediately after the complete counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2,

3 and 5.-

Due to the intermittent movement of the ribbon, the ribbon will present a new inked portion tothe type 22 as the press is successively actuated and a single ribbon can be used for a long time.

The automatic reversal of movement of the ribbon permits the press to be used without interruption. As a ribbon becomes worn, it canbe easily changed by merely removing the spindles 26 from the grooves 25 and releasing the removable sections 39 fromthe spindles.

Although the inking ribbon of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with a printing press in printing form letters, it can be used in place of the usual inking means cfa press for any class of work done bythe press. It will be understood that the platen press shown is merelyrillustrative of one type of press inconnection with which the invention can be used. In Whatever type of press that is used, the plunger 48 -willbe actuated by some moving part of the press, such as the presser member which presses the-paper against the type. Thus, for example, in a roller press, the roller may be usedrfor actuatingthe plunger 48. In practice, the ratchets 28 and29 will be suitably housed so thatthey cannot catch on clothingof the printerand so that they will be -maintained free from dust and dirt. The construction of the chase may be Varied to suit the requirements of the particular press in connection with whichitis used. It is not essentialthat the spindles 26 andactuating mechanism` be mounted directly in the chase. Whether certainof the parts are mounted on the section 20 or on the bar 46 is of little consequence. It is also possible to` use different driving mechanismthan that shown. t

The invention has 4been .successfully demonstrated in actual practice, and whenform letter f work has been done, it has been found to be practically impossible to distinguish the portion of the letter printed by the press from the portion of the letter printed with a typewriter by a stenographer. The letter has the appearance of being a personal letter completely Written by a stenographer using.l

l. Thecombination in a printing press, of A'ai` "chasefhaving a type spacewithin which type-'is adaptedto be set, a presser'member adapted'to bewintermittently carried towardand fromwthe type'rspace, a pair. of spindles Vmountedadjacent opposite ends of the chase for rotation, an inking` i ribbon `extending over Vthe'type space ofthe chase,

secured at its two-ends to said spindle and wound onrsaid spindles; an actuating member normally extendingfin the `path of said presser member to be-struck and moved thereby-driving means'actu- 'atedby-said actuating member for rdriving onev of said spindles in one. direction, drivingmeans.A

actuated by said actuating member forl driving the .other of said spindles in the opposite direction,lshiftable holding means Whichwhen shifted to `one position permits Yonly said first mentioneddriving-means to drive its spindle and which when shifted-to another.Y position permits only said-second mentioned driving means to drive its .spindle and means carried respectively by Said spindlesand movable as the ribbon is completely unwound from. a-spindle to shift said holding means.

2. The combination in a printing press, ofa chase havinga type space within which type is adapted to be set, a `presser member adapted to be intermittently carried toward and from the type space, a pair of spindles mounted adjacent opposite ends of the chase, an inking ribbon extending-over the type space of the chase, secured l at its two ends to said spindles and wound on saidv spindles, an actuatingV member spring pressed into `the path of said presser memberand adapted to bestruck by said presser member and to bev moved thereby during the movement of said` presser member, driving means actuated by said actuating member for-driving one of said spindles irr one direction, driving means actuated by said actuating member for driving the other of saidv moving outwardly from beyond-thev outlines ofl the spindles-tostrike engaging portions ofl -said shift bar as'the ribbon is completely unwound from the spindles, shiftable holding means which when shifted to `one position permits only said..

first mentioned driving means to drive its spindle and which when shifted toanother position .per-

mits only said second mentioned driving rneansto drive its spindle and means actuated by said shift bar as `one ofsaid spring pressed members strikes an engaging-portion thereof `to shift saidholding means from-one position tov the other position.

3. The combination in a 'printing press, of -a` chase having a type space within which typeis'- adapted to beset, a presser member Yadapted-to be-'intermittently carried toward andfrom the type-space, a-pair of-spindles mounted adjacent opposite ends of thechase for-rotation, an ing ribbon' extending over the type space of the4V chase, securedatdtstwo ends to saidspindlesV and iwound on saidspindles, driving means actusaid spindles in one direction, drivingmeans actuatedby saidpresser member for driving lthe -other yatedby said presser member for driving one of Y y of said' spindles in theiopposite direction, shiftable holding means whichfwhen shifted toone position permits only saidfrst mentioneddriving means to drive its spindle` and which when shifted `to another position permits only said second. mentioned driving means to drive its spindle; a. shift bar having teeth disposedadjacent each spindle, spring pressed keys carried by eachf.

spindlefand normally retracted against the -pressure of theirsprings by turns of said ribbon wound ons'the spindles butvmoving outwardly =to engage-the respective teeth of said shift `barv as the ribbonvis completely unwound from said spindles and as said spindles are rotated, and-meanspositeV ends of saidchase for rotation, a ribbon ,Y

extending zover the type space of said chase, se-

cured at its two ends to said spindles and wound on said spindles, oppositely directed ratchets carried by respective spindles, spring pressed pawls Afor ,engagement with the respective ratchets,

means for swinging said pawls and operated by said presser member during its movement, shifting means adapted to maintain one of said pawls out of engagement with its ratchet and permitting the other pawl to engage its ratchet when A mounted on each spindle and operated as the l secured at vribbonis completely unwound therefrom for shifting said shifting means from one position to the other position, thereby reversing the movement of said ribbon.

5. A printing chase having a type space withw in which type may be set and having in combination a pair of spindles journaled adjacent opposite ends of the chase, an inking ribbon extending across the type space of said chase, its two ends to said spindles and wound on said spindles, oppositely Ydisposed ratchets carried by said spindles and having teeth extending in opposite directions, spring pressed pawls for respectively engaging said ratchets, means for moving said pawls, a shiftable holding member which when shifted to one position is adapted to hold one of said pawls retracted from engagement with vits adjacent ratchet and which when shifted to a second position is adapted to engage the other of said pawls to hold it in retracted position from engagement with its adjacent ratchet, a shifting bar having engaging portions disposed adjacent each spindle, eachspindle having a recess therein, a spring pressed lever for each spindle normally fitting A withinthe recess thereof when portions of the ribbon are wounded on the spindle but projecting outwardly from the spindle to strike one of the engaging portions of said shift bar as the last turn of ribbon is unwound 4from its spindle and means operated by said shifting bar vfor shifting said holding member from one position to the other position as said shifting bar is moved.

6. The combination in a printing press, of a chase having a type space within which type is adapted to beset, a presser member adapted to be intermittently carried toward and from the type space, a pair of spindles mounted adjacent opposite ends of the chase for rotation, an inking ribbon extending over the type space of the chase, secured at its two ends to said spindles and wound on said spindles, a depressible plunger spring pressed to extend in the path of said presser member and adapted to be struckv by the presser member and depressed thereby during movement of said presser member towards said type space, a ratchet mounted on each spindle, said ratchets having oppositely directed teeth, a cooperating spring pressed pawl for each ratchet, means for actuating Asaid ratchets as said plunger is'depressed, spring pressed members mounted in each spindie and normally retained within the outlines of said spindles when one or more turns of ribbon are wound thereon, the said spring pressed member being forced beyond the outlines Vof said spindles when less than one turn of ribthe outline of their spindles and the spindles are rotated to slide said bar during the depression of said plunger, a holding bar which when shifted to one position will retract one of said pawls from engagement with its cooperating ratchet and which when shifted to a second position will retract the other pawl from engagement with its cooperating ratchet and means actuated by said plunger during its extension stroke immediately after said sliding bar has been actuated for shifting said holding bar from one position to the other position.

7. The structure defined in claim 6, and spring pressed dogs controlled by said holding bar for engagement with the respective ratchets when the cooperating pawls therefor are engaged therewith for preventing back rotation of said ratchets.

8. AV chase for a printing press having a type space within which type is adapted to be set, a presser member mounted in said chase and adapted to be intermittently carried toward and from the type space, a pair of spindles mounted adjacent opposite ends of the chase for rotation, an inking ribbon extending over the type space of the chase secured at its two ends to said spindles and r`wound on said spindles, driving means actuated by said presser member as it is moved towards said type space for driving one of said spindles in one direction, driving means actuated by said presser member as it is moved toward said type space for driving the other of said spindles in the opposite direction, shiftable holding means which whenrshiften to one position prevents one of said driving means from driving its spindle and which when shiften to a second position prevents the other of said driving means from driving its spindle, means actuated by the nondriven spindle as the ribbon is completely unwound therefrom for shifting said holding means `from one position to the other position.

9. In a device of the class described, a pair of parallel rotatably mounted spindles, ratchets having oppositely disposed teeth carried respectively by said spindles, spring pressed pawls for cooperative engagement with said respective ratchets for imparting step by step movement to said spindles in opposite directions, an inking ribbon connected at its ends to said two spindles wound on said spindles and extending between the same, means for maintaining one of said pawls out of engagement with its cooperating ratchet while the other of said 'pawls is maintained in engagement with its cooperating ratchet, means for actuating the pawl in engagement with its cooperating ratchet and spring pressed means respectively mounted in said spindles and normally retracted by ribbon wound on said spindles, said spring pressed means mounted on a particular spindle being released as the ribbon is completely unwound therefrom to engage and shift said rst mentioned means to retract the previously driving pawl from engagement with its cooperating ratchet and to permit the previously retracted pawl to engage its cooperating ratchet.

10. The combination in a printing press, of a chase having a type space within which type may be set, a presser member adapted to be intermittently carried to and from the type space, a pair of spindles journaled adjacent the opposite ends of said chase for rotation, a ribbon extending over the type space of said chase, secured at its two ends to said spindles and wound on said spindles, a plunger mounted for reciprocation in saidchase, resilient means urging said plunger to extended position above said chase and in the path of said pressing member for depression by said pressing member as it moves toward said type space, means for imparting intermittent step by step movement to one of said spindles as said plunger is depressed, means for imparting intermittent step by step movement to the other of said spindles as said plunger is depressed, a sliding holding bar restraining one of said means from operating when slid to one position and restraining the other of said means from operating when slid to a second position, a sliding bar having a tooth disposed adjacent each spindle, means carried by each spindle to engage a tooth of said last mentioned bar and slide the same in the direction of rotation of the spindle as the ribbon is unwound from the spindle, while the other spindle is being driven, a link pivotally interconnecting said two bars, a triangular cam carried by said link, a triangular cam carried by said plunger for cooperation with the cam on said link, means conning the cam on said link to limited movement at either side of said cam on said plunger, the cam on said plunger being adapted to be depressed below the cam on said link as said plunger is depressed and to be carried above said cam on said link as the plunger is extended whereby as said second mentioned bar is shifted on the depression stroke of the plunger, the lower end of the cam on said link will be carried from a position at one side of the upper end of thelcam on said plunger to the other side of the upper end of the cam on said plunger and on the next upstroke of the plunger the cam on said plunger will engage the cam on said link to shift said holding bar from its one position to its other position, thereby causing said two spindles to be turned in an opposite direction during the next depression stroke of the plunger.

11. A chase for a printing press having a type space within which type is adapted to be set and including in combination a pair of spindles journaled for rotation at opposite ends of the chase,

an inking ribbon extending over the type space of the chase, secured at its two. ends to said spindles and wound thereon, oppositely directed ratchets carried respectively by said spindles, a lplunger mounted between the ends of said chase for reciprocation, resilient means urgingV the upper end of said plunger above the chase, to be depressed by a movable member of a printing press, bell crank levers pivoted one at either side of said plunger and having inner arms projecting into the path of said plunger, rods pivoted to the other arms of said bell crank levers and extending outwardly therefrom towards said spindles,'bell crank levers having inner arms pivotally connected to the outer ends of said rods, spring pressed pawls mounted in said last mentioned bell crank levers for engagement respectively vwith said ratchets to intermittently drive said spindles respectively in opposite directions, pins carried by said pawls, a bar having ends disposed outwardly from said pins and of less length than the normal spacing between said pins when both of said pawls are extended to engage their respective ratchets and means for shifting said bar longitudinally of the chase whereby when said bar is shifted towards one end of the chase, one of said pawls will be allowed to engage its cooperating ratchet, and the remaining pawl will be held out of engagement with its cooperating ratchet and when said bar is shifted towards the other end of the chase, the previously disengaged pawl will be allowed to engage its cooperating ratchet and the previously engaged pawl will be held out of engagement with its cooperating ratchet.

l2. The structure defined in claim 1l, said shifting means comprising a bar having at each end a tooth located adjacent a spindle, spring pressed keys mounted in said spindles normally retracted from engagement with said teeth by wound portions of said ribbon on the spindles but projecting outwardly to engage said teeth during rotation of the spindles as the ribbon is completely unwound from said spindles, a link interconnecting said two bars and cooperating cams carried by said plunger and link to slide said rst mentioned bar from its one position to its other position as said plunger is pressed upwardly after being depressed to bring one of said keys into engagement with one of said teeth to shift said second mentioned bar.

WlLLIAM J. KEENAN. 

